Some Project Runway judges thought Kenley’s garments looked like other designers’ clothes. Well, I make no bones about it. I’ve been enchanted with her feather headbands and have been seeing them in boutiques and department stores for $40 and up. I figured I could whip up my own, decidedly blue-collar version using turkey and pheasant feathers my mom has been collecting for me.

Gather any and all feathers you find during your travels.

What you’ll need:

Scissors

Small piece of sturdy fabric (I used black denim)

Fusible interfacing

Variety of feathers

Hot-glue gun

Vintage button

Skinny headband (I used a faux-leather one from Goody)

You only need a few supplies to create a customized feather headband.

Step 1: With a sharp pair of scissors, cut your fabric and interfacing in a circle with a 3-inch diameter. I used the bottom of a drinking glass to trace the circle on the fabric. Following the fusible interfacing’s directions, iron the fusing to your fabric with the appropriate heat setting.

Iron your fusible interfacing to your circle of fabric.

Step 2: Now plan out your headdress. Cut and layer feathers around the circular piece. When you have it arranged to your satisfaction (I laid out bigger feathers on the bottom and layered smaller, more delicate flowers on top), get out the glue gun. Add a healthy dollop of glue to the backs of the feathers and affix to the fabric (the fusing should be face down), starting with the bottom layer and working your way to the top. I used a spiral design so the quills all ended up in the middle of the circle. To cover all the quills, select a vintage button, add hot glue to its back, and press firmly into the center of the headdress.

Glue larger pieces to the fabric one at a time, layering in a spiral pattern.

Comments (10)

melissascriv writes: feather dusters are a great source for feathers i got one at the goodwill for 3$
Posted: 9:22 pm on August 25th

sigridsoto writes: I sell my creation to boutiques in west Hollywood and i have seen this hair pieces rang in the hundreds and your creation look just like the ones in the boutiques
Posted: 6:42 am on January 7th

Jen_W writes: Yay! So glad y'all are having fun with this!
Posted: 12:26 am on December 28th

inaferina writes: I made one and posted the photos/how to in the gallery http://www.craftstylish.com/item/36162/feather-headband - it was easy and fun. The hardest part was keeping my kitty away form the feathers! :)
Posted: 5:40 pm on December 27th

Anasofia writes: IM DOING ONE RIGHT NOW
Posted: 4:41 pm on December 7th

Jen_W writes: Mine were all collected by my mom and friend in the woods of Michigan. You might try looking online. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Posted: 11:31 pm on November 30th

hune29 writes: Im trying to make a feathered headband but am having trouble finding nice feathers. Ive been to a few different michaels. Would you be able to lend some insight on where i can find some good ones. Thanks!
Posted: 5:06 pm on November 30th